Esther & Baladan
Wedding Party
Grace Lee
Maid of Honor
Medical school wouldn't have been the same without Dr Grizzle's presence (yes, that's her rapper name). We've shared study material, beds, leftover Chinese takeout, and the worst and best of studying and living in the Israeli desert. She's a pirate, a loyal companion, an advocate of emotional health and self-care, and my only pop-culture news expert. I wouldn't be standing here as the person I am today without her by my side. This year she'll start her internal medicine residency at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, and hope to one day double-certified in medicine and ob-gyn before finding a corner of the world where God is calling her to love and heal!
Andrea Pacheco
Bridesmaid
Andrea and I met during international student orientation our freshmen year at Houghton College, 2009. We shared host parents, dorm rooms, Ugg boots, morning coffees, and experimented in making (Honduran, Korean) comfort food for the first time. We kept in touch as we parted ways to pursue our masters degrees in Costa Rica and Israel, and I'm thrilled (!!!) to reunite again after five years, #bestherwedding. She's my inspiration on achieving that on-going balance of the humanities and sciences (she's the best of both worlds) and is currently pursuing her PhD in Leipzig, Germany on macro-ecological-social governance topics. She wants to continue working in applied research, travel and take pictures, and eat good food with her main squeeze, Jorge.
Jonny Lee
Bridesmaid
I first met Jonny during mKainos, 2012, and was surprised at how immediately we clicked. Since then we've seen each other through long-distance relationships across the globe (she married hers!), transitional summers in Korea, and assimilating in the States. Jonny is currently a badass OR nurse outside of Philly, and is going to pursue her masters in Nursing with Health Management this fall. What I love about her is her candid honesty, passion for nursing and healthcare, and how we both dream about building a self-sustaining clinic or hospital in the mission field one day. She is currently loving life with her husband, James!
Joy Moy
Bridesmaid
When we both arrived in Israel for medical school orientation, we coincidentally got placed in the same summer subletting. This was divine intervention, because from that jetlagged first day (where we napped on the couch together) we formed a bond that withstood the desert blaze, med school crazy, and tons of timezone changes. Living with Joy prevented any potential malnutrition-- she's the world's best kept secret chef--she made beef bourguignon from scratch for our roomie--and and incredible pâtissière (if you haven't had her lemon tart, you haven't lived). Joy is also one of my favorite book friends (we can talk about our latest reads for hours), and she gives the best book recommendations. She just graduated med school and is moving back to the States to pursue a research internship.
Angie Paek
Bridesmaid
Angie and I met in 2005, at a mknest summer camp in Korea, as two awkward kids who felt more comfortable speaking English. Fast-forward to 2012, mKainos in Malibu--we became real friends and caught each other up over the past seven years of doing our own thang. Then she taught Math in Indonesia (even survived driving a health-hazard scooter for a few years). Since then we've met each other in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Pasadena, Philly and now soon NJ! Angie has blessed me with her generosity, faith and justice pep talks, and an unhindered candor as we both process growing up MK in SE Asia. Currently Angie is finishing her MA in Intercultural Studies at Fuller; she hopes to continue working with Fuller, at the intersection of missional thought and conversation, and connect with leaders.
Sam Ra
Best Man
I met Sam during freshmen orientation at Indiana University in 2008. We became friends almost immediately and were roommates throughout college, playing video games till dawn, eating junk food like it was our last meal (and then working out in guilt). Much of my early adult life was sharpened by Sam as he helped me go through the ups and downs of young adult life. One of my favorite things about Sam is his analytic personality (it was helpful for learning about how girls think, but I can see how it will be more useful as a youth pastor). Sam is currently pursing his MDiv at Trinity and recently became a youth pastor. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Jennifer, whom he also met in college.
Tim Choi
Groomsman
It's hard to pinpoint when Tim and I first met, it was either in fifth or sixth grade at Calvary Church. We were the troublemakers, always running around doing things our mothers would later hear about through the grapevine. Throughout middle and high school, we were inseparable and shared many firsts. We would play basketball almost everyday and sneak out in the middle of the night to watch a movie. Tim is not only my oldest friend, but my brother, who's pushed me to pursue the greater things in life.
Jonathan Huh
Groomsman
Despite living only a few blocks from each other during high school, Jon and I were barely acquaintances at that time. It was only later in life that we became friends as adults at Praise Church. What drew us together was our entrepreneurial spirit, we bounced start-up ideas back-and-forth, and even started a company together (though it didn't work out eventually, we made lots of memories). Jon's honesty, playfulness, and constant drive to find the next best idea is something I find invaluable and inspirational. Jon recently got engaged to Sarah and they both serve at Praise church.
Sejung Oh
Groomsman
Sejung and I worked together in the same team for over four years at Samsung. Both being at our first job post-college, we bonded quickly over food trends, beer, and initiating office pranks. My favorite moments with him were our lazy dinners at local pizza joints, where we would talk about work, girls, and future aspirations. Sejung lived conveniently close to the office, so many times I would just sleep over and we'd go into work together. Even though Sejung is now at a different office, we still keep in touch regularly and I always look forward to catching up with him over our favorite IPA.
Joe Ha Lee
Groomsman
I met Joe first at Praise church, but we made most of our memories outside of church, whether at work at Samsung, having barbecues at his place (he recently made smoked ribs), or on our annual Memorial weekend camping trip (we just had our fifth trip). We usually eat lunch everyday at work and catch up with each other. Even though Joe has a army background and can be the tough guy, he is a true softie who is incredibly loyal to his friends. Because Joe recently got married to Deb, he has given me a lot of advice about wedding planning.